mixing panels

Plucka
Plucka Registered Users Posts: 130 ✭✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1
I have 4 x 200 watt 12 volt panels.I run two panels in parallel per controller but I need another 200 watts .Can I run an another 100 watt panel to each controller.
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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    We'll need the vmp and isc of the panels and the type and model of the charge controller.
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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  • Plucka
    Plucka Registered Users Posts: 130 ✭✭
    #3
    Thanks-200 watt panel VMP 18 volts---ISC 11.89                                                                                                                                                             100 watt panel VMP  18 volts---ISC 5.73                                                                                                                                                              Controllers LDSolar MPPT 30 amp TD2310
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  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
    The controller you have is an MPPT controller with a max voc. of 100 volts. You need to get the voltage higher than the output voltage of your 12 volt panels. As it sits now you should have your panels wired in series. You can add another panel and you HAVE to wire all three panels in series.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

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  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2018 #5
    +1 on 3 panels in series for each. Parallel wired the voltage could be too low when hot for the MPPT to work efficiently.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
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  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2018 #6
    Oh shoot! I just noticed you are asking about mixing different panels, duh, being the name of your post. Scratch my last answer. The coffee hasn't kicked in yet.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

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  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #7
    Missed that too, parallel would be the only practical way, given the addition of a 100W panel to the existing 200W currently in parrallel.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
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  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #8
    About all you can do would be to put two of the 100 watt panels on parallel branch connectors to double the amperage, THEN series wire them with the 200 watt panels. All in series. You should still be fine with max Voc. but you will be somewhat  overpaneled for a 12 volt system. MPPT controllers can be over paneled so probably not an issue.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

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  • Plucka
    Plucka Registered Users Posts: 130 ✭✭
    #9
    My problem is my van is all 240 volts and my panels are on a flat roof, in winter with clouds and rain I'm struggling to fully recharge my 360 amp/hr lithium battery so my thoughts were to put two [ to balance the controllers] 100 watt panels  on the side of the van on hinges so I could adjust the angle to the sun.As an after thought would it be better to use one 200 watt panel  going to one controller [giving one controller 600 watts and the other one 400 watts ] ? . Both controllers go to the one battery bank.
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  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,102 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #10
    One 200 watt panel would be simpler and a perfect match (I assume) to the others. You need to series wire all of them any way you go. At this time with your panels wired in parallel you are not supplying proper voltage to your controller, Especially mounted on top of a hot van roof.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

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